Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News Eddie Deloach, Republican candidate for Chatham County Commission Chairman, watches as early returns are posted Tuesday night during a watch party at the Mulberry Inn.

The Chatham County Commission has retained its Democratic majority after Al Scott defeated his Republican opponent in the race to replace outgoing Chairman Pete Liakakis. In addition, the District 6 commission seat will remain in Republican hands after Lori Brady defeated Democrat Willie Brown.

With all of the precincts reporting by 11 p.m., Scott had earned 52 percent of the votes counted, according to Tuesday night’s unofficial results.

Scott said he planned on focusing how to fund the expanded jail without a property tax increase and developing a working relationship with the municipalities.

Scott, a retired executive who worked for Union Camp and International Paper for more than 35 years, has served 16 years in the Georgia House and state Senate.

During his campaign, Scott said that his priorities would include keeping the county tax rate flat, upgrading the county’s bond rating and creating job opportunities with local contractors.

His victory came despite having only raised about $48,000 for his campaign, compared to the $113,000 DeLoach rounded up.

Scott said that he believed recognition of his past service and voters’ trust that he would do the right thing as chairman contributed to his victory.

The District 6 race was close throughout the night, with the two candidates separated by less than a percentage point until the final precinct was reported.

With all nine of the precincts reporting by 10 p.m., Brady had earned 52 percent of the votes counted.

Brady said she wanted to reduce crime and traffic congestion, in addition to reducing county spending. She decided to run for District 6 as her fourth term with the Savannah-Chatham public school board approached its end in December.

Scott will join returning Democrats James Holmes and Priscilla Thomas and newcomers Tony Center, who is replacing outgoing District 3 commissioner Patrick Shay; and Yusuf Shabazz, who will represent the District 5 after Harris Odell resigned the position to become a Chatham County Recorders Court judge. Brady will join incumbent Republicans Dean Kicklighter, Patrick Farrell and Helen Stone, who were uncontested in the general election.

Other county positions will be filled by some familiar faces.

County tax commissioner Daniel Powers, surveyor Bert Barrett Jr. and coroner Dr. James C. Metts will all return after running in uncontested races.